I have been fundraising for just coming up to 9 years and I believe I have now surpassed the £100,000 fundraising mark for Young lives Vs Cancer over those years (including the team fundraising effort for our two Guinness World Records). Thank you so much to everyone who has got around my events and supported me over the years. Even if it was just to send a message of support. I am so grateful for the supportive community I have around me and that together we continue to spread awareness for cancer in young people and have managed to raise an incredible amount for Young Lives Vs Cancer. Thank you to every one of you who has supported and donated. There is so much kindness in the world and it never goes unnoticed. Thank you.

Why do I run for Young Lives Vs Cancer?

On the 26th November 2014, my school friend Rob Harris unfortunately lost his battle to testicular cancer at the age of 21. Rob was someone I always looked up to throughout school, he was never without a smile on his face and I was constantly inspired by his positive attitude and love for others. He was a genuine pleasure to be around and I will always be grateful for the kindness he showed me during our time at Heathside. 

I thought it was only apt to do something positive to remember Rob, so in 2014 I took up running long distance races to raise money for his chosen charity, Young Lives VS Cancer. I hope my fundraising efforts will help raise awareness for cancer in young people, encourage more people to get regular health checks and raise money for young people who are currently battling the disease. 

This year, I am racing in memory of all the young friends I have lost over the last few years. And of course, Mr Rob Harris.

This is now the 10th year since Rob's passing and consequently my 8th year fundraising for Young Lives Vs Cancer. I've gone big over the years and have been proud to wear the charity vest all over the world. I'm so grateful for your donations and support each year and I make an effort to show this by pushing myself further each time. So to fundraise this year I will be gaining my 5th World Major Marathon star and competing in: 

- Tokyo Marathon (Sunday 3rd March 2024)

(And watch this space as the radio marathon will be returning!!!)

Below is a list of events I have completed in Rob's memory so far:

Year 7 (2022) Brighton Marathon (Sunday 10th April 2022), Ironman Kalmar, Sweden (Saturday 20th August 2022), Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Sunday 9th October 2022), TCS New York City Marathon (Sunday 6th November 2022)

Year 6 (2021) - Outlaw Half Holkham (Sunday 2nd July 2021) 

Year 5 (2020) - A 41 hour live radio marathon (6-8th March 2020 on www.insanityradio.com), 26.2 hour live radio stay-at-home-radiothon whilst running a marathon in my garden, The Brighton Virtual Marathon 2020, NYRR New York Virtual Marathon 2020.

Year 4 (2019) - 30 Hour Live Radio Marathon whilst running a marathon, Sketchers Performance Los Angeles Marathon (Sunday 24th March 2019), GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon (Sunday 5th May 2019), Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire (Sunday 9th June 2019, Prudential RideLondon 100 (Sunday 4th August 2019), London 2 Brighton Bike Ride  (Sunday 15th September 2019).

Year 3 (2018) - 40 Hour Live Radio Marathon, the Winter Run 10k, Mischief Managed 10k and Race to the Future 10k, Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon, The Big Half Marathon, Maratona Roma 2018, Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon in a six person costume (dressed as the Ghostbusters), Virgin Money London Marathon 2018 and the AJ Bell London Triathlon (Olympic Distance).

Year 2 (2017) -  36 Hour Live Radio Marathon, Thorpe Park Half Marathon, Silverstone Half Marathon Guiness World Record Trial, 1000 miles in 7 months, Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon ran in a five person costume (dressed as Scooby Doo and the Mystery Gang) and Virgin London Marathon 2017.

Year 1 (2015-16) - London Winter Run 10k 2015, Palace Half Marathon 2015, 26.2 Hour Live Radio Marathon, Silverstone Half Marathon 2016, 36 Hour Live Radio Marathon and the Virgin London Marathon 2016.

Unfortunately, over the last few years I have lost some people who are very dear to my heart. So if you could please take the time to also read and spread awareness, I'd be extremely grateful.

Alex Milligan - In February 2017, we also lost the wonderful Alex Milligan to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the young age of 30. Whilst sick, Alex inspired hundreds of others by sharing so much positivity and spreading the importance of blood donations. That was Alex all over. Always helping others. So please if you have the time (and the blood) to spare, sign up to DKMS and help save a life or even look up when your next local blood bank is in town and donate to help others. It honestly does save lives. Please check out Alex's incredibly courageous journey at www.alexisallin.com.

Anouska Turner - In June 2018, my darling mentor and friend lost a long battle to Breast Cancer. She fought the entire way and demonstrated so much strength and courage along the journey. Please make sure you are checking your body regularly for any changes. Anouska got turned away 2 times by the doctors before they realised there was a serious problem. I have since run the Athens Marathon, swam 2 miles in the Serpentine and ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon to continue to raise awareness in her memory.

Tony Dowling - My Grandpa and champion. We lost one of our favourite family members on the 17th November 2018 and our world will not be the same without him. Grandad was my biggest supporter and my family supported him the best we could through his hard battle with Dementia over the last few years. Through this difficult time we realised how little support there was out there and I want to do everything I can to raise funds and awareness for other families who are supporting a loved one. Please go to https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week to learn more. 

Thank you so much for your support and donations, they truly do go a long way. Please do continue to follow my running story and watch this space for more event updates!! Keep spreading that awareness!!! If even one person thinks to check themselves more regularly, then it makes every single mile or hour worth it! Big love, Meg x